Machine for applying bands or stamps to packets



Dec. 12, 1933. J. MASON MACHINE FOR APPLYING BANDS 0R STAMPS T0 PACKETS Filed July 5, 1932 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 s I MIW+M Dec. 12, MASON 1,939,507

MACHINE FOR APPLYING BANDS OR STAMPS TO PACKETS Filed July 5, 1932 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 MW BJ MM AW Patented Dec. 12, 1933 PATENT OFFICE MACHINE roe APPLYING BANDS on STAMPS TO PACKETS James Mason, Deptford, London, England Application July 5, 1932, Serial No. 620,929, and

a in Great Britain July 13, 1931 16 Claims. (Cl. 216-55) This invention relates to .a machine wherein bands, stamps or the like are automatically wrapped around packets, for example, packets of cigarettes, and hasfor its object the'provision I :of .a machine wherein stamps maybe applied to the packets at a greater speedand more efficiently than has hitherto beenpossible.

The invention consists of an apparatus for applying bands, stamps or the like to packets which comprises a rotary suction device arranged to move past a magazine and remove a stamp therefrom and carry the same past a gumming device and thereafter deliver the stamp to a device which holds it across the path of a packet carried continuously along by a conveyor or the like.

The invention will be more particularly described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:-- i

Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic sectional elevation of a machine constructed according to the invention. 1

Fig. 2 is an enlarged view of a portion of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a plan of Fig.2. i Fig.4 is 'a perspective view of a packet having s a stamp applied thereto.

Fig. 5 is an end elevation of a movable stamp holder. V

Fig. 6 is a plan of a tucking device for the trailing ends of a stamp. -Referring to'the drawings, the packets 1 are placed in a magazine 2 and removed therefrom one at a time by pusher pieces 3 carried on a continuous conveyor 4. The pusher pieces carry thepacketsthrough guides 5 at the endof which 33 :.a stamp holding mechanism 6 is arranged. The stamps are stacked in a pile in a magazine 7 which is pivoted on a bearing bracket 8 above the bed of the-machine and they are removed from the bottom of the pile one at a time by a rotating -suction apparatus 9- The suction apparatus is mounted on pivots 10 and consists of two pairs of hollow members 1 1 and 12 mounted on a central hub 13, the pairs of i suct'ion members being disposed at diametrically of the stamps so that ungummed portions are swings on its pivot 27 and moves out of the way curely take hold of the stamp, the magazine which is pivoted atits upperend to the bracket. 8 is oscillated'by a cam 15and spring 16 so that the lowermost stamp. in the magazine moves in contact with the suction members for a short 6 distance beioreit is removed from the magazine. The outlet of the magazine is preferably provided with. a spring guardor'finger '7 which prevents more than one stamp from being removed at a time.

The suction members carry the stamp past a gum roller 17 which may have a series of ribs to apply the gum in streaks, the roller receiving itsJ gum from a gum feeding mechanism 18 in the usual. manner.

The stamp holding mechanism consists of two parts 6 which are arranged on the machine bed at either side of the conveyor. The stamp is stripped from the suckers by prongs 19 and retained in position against stops 19 until an oncoming packet contacts with it.

The suction members have grooves 20 formed in their faces to give clearance to the prongs 19 and preferably the gum is applied to the ends left where the prongs 19 will touch the stamp.

The stamp holders 6 have pivoted members 22 pressed by springs 23 and the stamp is lightly gripped between the'members ZZand prongs 19 so that as the packet pulls the stamp from the stamp holders it is under a certain amount of tension and is pulledtaut across the leading face of the packet and around the two side faces asshown, in Fig. 4. In order to permit thestampto enter the gripper formed by prongs 19 and member 22; the latter' are pressed back against spring tension by projections 9 :striking the members '22 as shown in Fig-3.

The packet is then carried betweena pair of guides 24 which firmly press the side extensions of the stamp on to the side'faces of the packet so that the stamp is neatly and securely attached to the packet; the guides being heated as usual if desired.

As shown in Fig. 1, the conveyor 4 finishes shortly after the stamp applying position 'and the packets are moved further alongthe guides by rotary pawls 25. s

In an alternative form the stamp 'may be'ap plied only to one face of the packet, in which as the'packet continues its movement.

The pivoted holder is operated by a cam 28 and spring 29, the lever 26 being furnished with a cam roller 30.

It will be understood that instead of having 5 the cam, the lever 26 may be held in the position shown in full lines by a spring of such strength that the pressure of the packet when moved by the conveyor will cause the holder- 25 to be pushed out of the way without injury to the packet. V

This form of the invention is particularly useful where a small stamp is to be placed on a packet, in which case only half of the suction apparatus is required, the particular suction case being made approximately the same size as the stamp.

Further, the stamp may be wrapped around the four sides of the packet with the ends overlapping by mechanism such as is shown in Figure 6.

' Referring to that figure, two folders or tuckers 31 are provided pivoted to the ends of levers 32" ment by means of guide blocks 35 and springs 36, the tuckers working one after the other by suitably displacing the two cams 34. The'springs 35 pleted. r 7

'What I claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent isr- 1. In apparatus for applying stamps, bands, magazine for stamps, ofa suction device supported for rotation adjacent said magazine for removing stamps, one at a time,from the magazine, means located adjacent the path of movement 'of said device for applying adhesive to stamps carried" thereby, means for moving a series of packets through a predetermined path, and means for receiving the adhesive coated stampsfrom saidsuction device and supporting (f the same transversely across the predetermined path of movement of said packets. V

2.. In,apparatus for applying stamps, bands, or the like to,pack'ets,-'the combination with a magazine for stamps, :of a suction device sup- 551 ported for rotation adjacent said magazine for removing stamps, one at'a time, from the magazine, means located adjacent the path of movement of said device for applying adhesive to stamps carried thereby, means for moving a series of packets through a predetermined path, means'for receiving stamps from said suction device and supporting the same transversely across the predetermined path of movement of said packets, and mechanism operable in timed relation with said suction device for moving said'magazine substantially in the direction of movement of said suction device as each stamp is removed from the magazine.

3. In apparatus for applying stamps, bands, or the like to packets, the combination with a magazine for stamps, of .a suction device supported for rotation adjacent said magazine for removing stamps, one at'a time, from themagazine, means located adjacent the path of movement of said device for applying adhesive to "37 return to folders when the operation is com-' or the like to packets, the combination with a stamps carried thereby, means for moving a series of packets through a predetermined path, and means for receiving stamps from said suction device and supporting the same transversely stamps carried thereby, means for moving a series of packets througha predetermined path, and means for receiving stamps from said suction device and supporting the same transversely across the predetermined path: of movement of.

said packets, said lastnamed means including spring. pressed stamp gripping elementsdisposed on either side of the path of movement of the packets to permit movement of the packets therebetween.

5.'-In apparatus for applying stamps, bands; or the like to packets, the combination with a maga zine for-stamps, of a suction device supported for rotation adjacent said. magazine for removing stamps, one at a time, from they magazine, means located adjacent the path of movement of said device for applying adhesive to stamps carriedjthereby, means for moving a series of packets through a predetermined path, and means for receiving stamps from said'suction device and supporting the same transversely across the predetermined path of movement of said packets,

saidlast named means beingrsupported for movement into and out of the path of movement of said packets. V, I I

6. In apparatus for applying stamps, bands, or the like to'packets, the combination with a magazine for stamps, of a suction device supported for rotation adjacent said magazine for removing termined path of movement of said packets, and

a folding device arranged adjacent the path of movement-of said packets for folding the stamps about the rear face of the packets.

7. In apparatus for applying bands to packets, the combination-with a conveyor for moving successive packets through a predetermined path, of suction means operable in timed relation with said conveyor for introducing a band having an adhesive coated face in the path of movement of the packets and-in advance of each packet,

with the adhesive coated'face of the band toward hesive-coated face in the path of movement of the packets and in advance of each packet, with a the adhesivercoated face .of' the band toward the oncoming packet, said last named means comprising a. suction device andband retaining elements disposed on either side of the path of movement of the packets and spaced to an extent suflicient 'to permit movement of the packets therebetween.

9. In apparatus for applying bands to packets, the combination with a conveyor for moving successive packets through a predetermined path, of means operable in timed relation with saidconveyor for introducing a band having an adhesive coated face in the path of movement of the packets and in advanced each packet, with the adhesive coated face of the band toward the oncoming packet, said last named means including band supporting suction means movable into and out of the path of movement of the packets.

10. In apparatus for applying bands to packets, the combination with-means for conveying packets through a predetermined path, of means for supporting a band transversely across the path of movement of the packets and in advance of each packet, adhesive applying means, and a suction device for moving a band past saidadhesive applying means and in contact therewith and delivering the band to the said supporting means.

11. In apparatus for applyingbands to packets, the combination with means for conveying packets through a predetermined path, of means for supporting a band transversely across the path of movement of the packets, a rotatablesuction device for delivering adhesive coated bands to said last named means, and means for continuously rotating said suction device in timed relation with the movement of said conveying means.

12. In apparatus for applying bands to packets, the combination with means for conveying packets through a predetermined path, of means for supporting a band transversely across the path of movement of the packets, and a suction device for delivering adhesive coated stamps to said last named means, said suction device being supported for rotation adjacent the path of movement of said packets and having a band receiving surface to which the suction is applied, a magazine for bands having a discharge opening positioned adjacent the arcuate path described by said band receiving surface, an adhesive supplying device located adjacent the said arcuate path, and means associated with said band receiving means and extending into the said arcuate path for removing bands from said suction surface.

13. In apparatus for applying bands to packets, the combination with means for conveying packets through a predetermined path, of means for supporting a band transversely across the path of movement of the packets, and a suction device for delivering adhesive coated stamps to said last named means, said suction device being supported for rotation adjacent the path of movement of said packets and having a band receiving surface to which the suction is applied, a magazine for bands having a discharge opening positioned adjacent the arcuate path described by said band receiving surface, an adhesive supplying device located adjacent the said arcuate path, and means associated with said band receiving means and extending into the said arcuate path for removing bands from said suction surface, said suction surface being grooved to permit passage of said last named means therethrough.

14. In apparatus for applying bands, stamps, or the like to packets, the combination with means for moving a series of packets in a predetermined path, of a rotary suction device for delivering stamps to a position intersecting the path of movement of the packets, said device comprising stamp engaging suction means, and supporting arms for said suction means, said arms being spaced to a suflicient extent to permit movement of packets therebetween.

15. In apparatus for applying bands, stamps, or the like to packets, the combination with means for movinga seriesof packets in a predetermined path, of a continuously rotating suction device for engaging and delivering stamps to a position intersecting the path of movement of the packets, said device being supported for rotation about an axis transverse to the path of movement of the packets and having portions passing on either side of said path of movement to permit movement of the packets therebetween.

16. In apparatus for applying bands, stamps, or the like to packets, the combination withv means for moving a series of packets in a predetermined path, of a continuously rotating suction device for engaging and delivering stamps to a position intersecting the path of movement of the packets, said device being rotatable about an axis extending transversely of and located closely adjacent to said path of movement.

JAMES MASON. 

